This post follows my last blog post about the first half of my trip to the USA in Seattle. I travelled over for my long awaited workshops with Kathie of Bellissima Art Escapes – A Moment in Time in Seattle and then A Moment in Time in Portland. There are a lot of photos but I wanted to share as much of the incredible work as I could!

After a full week in Seattle, Kathie and I enjoyed a few days off in her hometown of Gig Harbor – resting, playing and preparing for the next week, which would see us travelling down to Portland. Our venue this time was the fascinating McMenamins Kennedy School Hotel, which was used as an elementary school from 1915 to I think the 1970s. Each of the rooms is themed along the lines of the subjects taught there and there are original features such as tiny cloakrooms and classroom chalkboards, the auditorium (which is now a movie theatre) and quirky bars such as the Old Boiler Room.

Everyone embraced the unpredictability of this medium and once again it was fascinating to see the way each artist created work that was absolutely unique to them. We were mostly working with the same or similar reference images and yet it is always interesting to me what each person draws from that inspiration and the way they create characters that incorporate their own unique aesthetic.

There are artists who love working with line – exploring the contours of the face in a highly expressive way. Others are drawn to the deep shadows and contrasts of tone and value – and some love combining both of these things!

There were inventive ways of working with colour, highly atmospheric portraits with a limited palette, bold and exploratory ways of working with abstracting the face and highly emotive portraits.

My focus as a workshop leader is to encourage a deep exploration of what appeals to each artist and what they want to say with their art and portraits. To embrace individuality and enable each person to journey along their own path. This is why I find it much more valuable to work my way around and around the room, spending time with each individual artist and focussing on what is on the easel in front of them rather than anything I might be creating.

Some artists took inspiration from our surroundings in the building and some an imagined narrative. There were completed works and works in progress that can be continued after the workshop.

I hope you are inspired by these images and the vast range of styles, aesthetics, colour palettes and expression – each person embracing their own unique style! For me, looking back at all of these images, I know without reading the label exactly who painted which piece. That is the true mark of a wonderful week of creating with a group – when each person has delved further into progressing their own style and narrative.

Some of my favourite moments were in our morning circle where we each had a chance to chat about what we wished to focus on for that day – and for each person it was different. There was also much laughter and even a few tears as we encouraged each other, worked through challenges and embraced the unpredictable nature of creating art.

Both classes were an unforgettable experience and I can’t wait to see where these artists journey to next in their artwork.

Once again – It was such an honour to work with Kathie of Bellissima Art Escapes. Kathie works with an incredible range of artists and there are a wonderful selection of trips for the coming months and next year. We are currently planning some trips for 2018 and I am excited to announce news of those soon. Make sure you are signed up to my mailing list for updates in the near future.

Next stop is Amsterdam from the 19th May!